Ben Cohen’s ex-wife Abby, 44, reveals she’s been diagnosed with cancer and says she only had ‘one symptom’ of the disease before seeing a doctor
- The mother-of-two did not reveal the type of cancer she’s been diagnosed with
Ben Cohen’s ex-wife Abby has revealed she’s been diagnosed with cancer.
The mother-of-two, 44, took to Instagram to share a moving video documented her battle with the disease, describing her battle as ‘the toughest yet.’
Abby did not reveal the type of cancer she had, but said that she only had a single symptom before speaking to a doctor.
The video she shared featured Abby undergoing her cancer treatment in hospital, along with snaps while wearing a stoma bag.
It also featured clips of the photographer being visited by loved ones, and helped to walk while attached to her monitor following an operation.
Tough time: Ben Cohen’s ex-wife Abby, 44, has revealed she’s been diagnosed with cancer
A post shared by Abby Cohen (@abbycohenphoto)
Moving: The mother-of-two took to Instagram to share a moving video documented her battle with the disease, describing her battle as ‘the toughest yet’
Heartbreaking: Abby did not reveal the type of cancer she had, but said that she only had a single symptom before speaking to a doctor
She wrote: ‘This was and is the toughest yet. I’m unlucky, but lucky, to have been warned only once with a symptom of this terrible illness.
‘With huge thanks to the NHS for saving my life & taking good care of me when I felt so scared & most vulnerable.
‘I can’t express enough how lucky I am to have such amazing family and friends that have helped me through this incredibly tough journey.
‘Never ignore your body when it’s trying to warn you, I didn’t and it’s given me a chance to live my new life. In time and with the right treatment.
‘I’m hoping this WILL all be a distant memory for me. You never know how strong you are until it’s your only choice. #F**kcancer.’
Abby and Ben share twin daughters Harriette and Isabelle, 15, while Ben welcomed a third child, Mila, in 2016.
Ben left wife of 11 years Abby for his Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff, after being partnered up with the blonde bombshell during his 2013 stint on the show.
She has since found love with new partner Dave, and went public with their romance in 2020.
Family is everything! The reel showed Abby being visited by her twin daughters, who she shares with her ex-husband Ben
On the mend: She also shared a clip of herself slowly walking while attached to a monitor while undergoing treatment for the disease
Ex: Abby was married to rugby star Ben for 11 years before he left her to be with his Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff
Talking about her decision to go public with her romance, Abby told MailOnline: ‘I use Instagram as an advertising tool for my business.
‘When I downloaded the picture, I was struck by the lens flare — when the light hits the back of the lens. I hardly recognised myself, I looked so happy. I haven’t looked like that for a long time.
‘I put it on Instagram without really thinking. When I woke up the next day, loads of people had started to follow me. Then a publicist I use for my work called to say, ‘You’ve got a new boyfriend’.
‘I thought, ‘Everyone still labels me Ben’s ex’ but I’m not that Abby any more. I’m me. I’ve got my two girls. My life. I’ve finally met a really nice man. I want to be known as ‘Abby the good photographer’ or ‘Abby the great mum’. I’m very different. I’m stronger.’
In 2021, Abby shared her remorse while admitting that despite Strictly having caused the breakdown of their marriage, she feels the show ‘did her a favour’ in hindsight.
Abby told new! magazine: ‘At the time of the break-up, when hugely stressed, I once angrily referred to Ben’s partner as a ”f***ing Russian dancer” to a journalist hassling me. I regret that now.’
Speaking in 2015, Abby remarked to The Sun: ‘My husband, who I was with for 23 years, unconditionally loved and was completely loyal to in every respect, has left me for a f**king Russian dancer.
‘The last two years have been the most traumatic thing to ever happen to me. He’s done the dirty on me. I want people to know.’
Opening up to new! about watching her marriage ‘disintegrate’ before her eyes, Abby – who fell in love with Ben after meeting him aged just 16 – explained: ‘I sat in the [Strictly] studio audience each week smiling, but looking back, I see I was terrified.’
Ordeal: She wrote: ‘This was and is the toughest yet. I’m unlucky, but lucky, to have been warned only once with a symptom of this terrible illness’
Recovery: ‘Never ignore your body when it’s trying to warn you, I didn’t and it’s given me a chance to live my new life. In time and with the right treatment,’ she added
She added: ‘Thankfully, I don’t recognise that frightened woman now, I’m so different. Perhaps Strictly did me a favour in the long run.’
While admitting that she won’t be watching Strictly this year as ‘even the music triggers too many feelings’, Abby also made sure to stress that Ben ‘was and still is a fantastic hands-on father’.
Revealing that the news Ben and Kristina were expecting a child of their own felt ‘like a dagger’ when it broke in 2016, Abby bravely added that ‘she couldn’t imagine going through this hell’ but insisted ‘if I can, anyone can’.
She also shared that she was unable to eat, sleep or ‘get out of bed’ when her and Ben’s marriage ended and suffered two mental breakdowns.
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